When it comes to the energy transition, regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. Among recent legislative developments, the BACS (Building Automation and Control System) decree stands out as an essential measure for commercial buildings. This system requires the installation of advanced technical management systems, designed to optimize the energy performance of buildings.
Which buildings are concerned?
The BACS regulation specifically targets buildings where commercial or non-commercial tertiary activities are carried out. To be covered, these buildings must, therefore, be equipped with heating, air-conditioning, or combined systems with ventilation. Additionally, the rated output of these systems must exceed 70 kW. This threshold, which was initially set at 290 kW, was considerably lowered by the decree of April 7, 2023. Consequently, the scope of application has been extended to a larger number of buildings.
In practice, this means that many tertiary buildings, whether administrative, commercial, or industrial, must now comply with these new requirements. Specifically, these requirements concern building management systems.
Fixed deadlines
The system structures the timetable in three major stages. Consequently, the type of building and the power of its technical management system determine these stages.
- April 8, 2024: This first deadline specifically concerns new buildings equipped with a system rated at over 70 kW. Therefore, these structures must be equipped with an automation and control system as soon as they are commissioned.
- January 1ᵉʳ, 2025: For existing buildings with system outputs exceeding 290 kW, the installation of a BACS system becomes mandatory on this date.
- 1ᵉʳ January 2027: Finally, existing buildings with technical systems rated between 70 kW and 290 kW must comply with the regulations by this last deadline.
The objectives of the BACS decree
The BACS decree clearly aims to optimize the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. To achieve this objective, it sets out a number of requirements.
- Reducing energy consumption
- Improved management of technical systems
- Reduced maintenance and operating costs
BACS technical obligations
The system requires the installation of a technical management system capable of fulfilling four essential functions:
- Monitoring, recording and analyzing energy production and consumption data
- Evaluate building energy efficiency in relation to reference values
- Enable interoperability with the building’s various technical systems
- Manual shutdown and autonomous management of one or more building systems
These systems will be subject to periodic inspection every five years or less, carried out by an external service provider or competent in-house personnel.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The BACS decree does not provide for any specific penalties in the event of non-compliance. Nevertheless, building managers are strongly advised to comply, as doing so will allow them to reap the benefits in terms of cost and energy efficiency.
Installing Nexelec sensors to meet the requirements of the BACS decree
The installation of specific sensors is often necessary to comply with the requirements of the BACS decree. Nexelec sensors offer the right solution to meet building management requirements.
Nexelec sensors are designed to monitor in real time the parameters essential to optimal energy management: temperature, humidity, air quality, etc. By integrating these sensors into your system, you can not only comply with regulatory requirements, but also maximize your building’s energy efficiency.